Rail crossing



Oct. 31, 1939. J, JOHNSON I 2,177,655

RAIL CROSSING Filed Feb.- 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR TTORNEY Oct. 31, 1939. J. A. JOHNSON 2,177,655

RAIL CROSSING Filed Feb. 2, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Oct. 31,1939

{UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAIL CROSSING John A. Johnson, Denison, Tex, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to The American Brake 4 Shoe and Foundry Company, New York, N. Y., H t a corporation of Delaware Application February 2, 1937, Serial No. 123,565

8 Claims. (01. 246-379) This invention relates to rail crossings and more particularly toan improved movable center point crossing.

the construction or movable center point 5f crossings it has been customary'to provide movable point rails which are hinged to fixed rails I I and which are supported, when in closed position, only by the hinged connection and by abutment of'therail point against the cooperating knuckle rail.

Such movable" point rails are inherently weak because they are relatively unsupported able center point crossings overturning of the movable po-int'rails.

its entire length and-therefore can be of con against'thrust and overturning. "=B inherent weakness, the movable p ecause of this oint rails are made [relatively short and the fixed rails areextended to points close to the knuckle rails.

The

to track'creepage.

- According to the present inven owing particularly tion, there is provided a movable center point crossing wherein the movable point rails, when in closed position, are reinforced by suitably positioned, fixed, reinforcing or brace rails which support and prevent Each point rail is supportedthroughout substantially siderable length, the hinge, connection being located adjacent the end frogs of the crossing.

Since. the ends of the movable point rails have a relatively long radius of movement, less flexibility is required at the joint than previously, and the joint canbe made relatively strong and rugged.

.The.brace rail preferably is connected at its ends to-the corresponding inside or wing rail and to the opposite knuckle rail respectively in such I a manner as to provide a strong rigid connection between these rails. Where four such brace rails are connected to the rails constituting a crossing,

a rigid truss-like crossing is provided in which creeping of I the stock rails and consequent misalignment and disarrangement of the connections is minimized.

, ,Various other features and advantages of the invention -will be apparent from particular description and from an inspection of the-accompanying drawings. Although the novel features whic the following h are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and of the principal portions of one-half of the cross-' ing illustrated diagrammatically in Fig, 1; 1

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of the structure shown in Fig. 2, at the joints between the movable points and the inside rails, certain of" the structure being shown in cross section for the purpose of clear illustration;

,Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig.v 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the structure at the knuckle and the adjacent end of the brace rail, portions of the structure being shown in cross section for the purpose of clear illustration.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they .are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

in the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

One form of crossing in which the present invention is embodied is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. Inasmuch as the construction of the crossing on both sides of the transverse center line are similar, only the left-hand half of the crossing is shown in the structural views and described in the following description; it will be understood that the following description applies equally as well to the right-hand half of the crossing. The structure in the present embodiment isnot truly symmetrical since for the purpose of illustration, there has been selected a crossing between a straight track and a curved track of long radius.

Referring also to Fig. 2, the crossing includes outside stock rails l and 2, and a frog 3 including inside or point rails 4 and 5 and inside or wing rails t and l, all of which are mounted on suitable ties 8, Knuckle rails 9, ii] are connectedto the ends of the stock rails I and 2 and are mounted on slide plates ll suitably secured on certain of the ties. 8. A set of third or easer rails H, iii are disposed on the outside of each knuckle rail and each has one or more rail braces l3 associated therewith and secured on the cor-' It will be understood l5 and it are connected by a suitable number of switch rods ll attached to jaw clips l8 which are in turn connected by bolts l9 to the point rails i5 and I6 thereby spacing and rigidly conmeeting the point rails. Ifdesired, a reinforcing bar it may be clamped against the web of each movable point rail by the bolt [9.

A reinforcing easer rail may besecured to the outside of each movable'point rail adjacent the point to provide a bracing and reinforcing member. The member 20 preferably is suitably tapered to fit between the end of the movable point rail and the knuckle rail when the former in detail hereinafter.

' is in closed position.

The movable point rail i5 is connected to the inside or wing rail 6 by a flexible joint designated generally by the reference character 22, the construction of which joint will be described more Extending between the end of the inside or wing rail 6 and the opposite knuckle rail 9 is a brace rail which is connected to the inside or wing rail 6 at or adjacent the joint 22 and to the knuckle rail 9- at a connection designated generally by the reference character 26.

It will be understood that in most cases the movable point rail will be connected directly to the wing rail. However, in certain cases, it may be found desirable to interp'ose a flxedrail between the wing rail and the heel end of the movable point rail. In such a case, preferablythe brace rail is connected to this interposed fixed rail and the knuckle rail. Where the insiderail is referred to, it will be understood to designate either the wing rail or the aforesaid f xed rail extending from the wing rail.

Referring also to Fig. 4, the joint 22 includes an angle bar 2? having a head 28 adapted to fit under the head or ball of the movable point rail 5 5, a web 28 and a flange 30 adapted to fit against the flange of the movable point rail !5. The angle bar 27 cooperates in a similar manner with the end portion of the inside rail 6.

' The angle bar Z'l is connected to the movable point rail l5 and inside rail 8 by a plurality of bolts 3!, at least one of which extends through the angle bar 2'5, the inside rail 6 and the brace rail 25 and another of which extends through the angle bar 2i, movable point rail 55 and brace rail 25. The bolts 3! are secured as by nuts 32 and spring washers 33; if desired, a reinforcing plate 34 may be interposed between the spring washer. 33 and the web of the brace rail 25.

A filler block 35 having a'groove 36 may be rail l5 stands away. from the filler block 35.

The openings 31 and 38 in the flange of the movable point rail l5 maybe sufficiently larger than the corresponding bolts passing therethrough to permitfreedom of movement of the movable point rail l5. If desired, a thimble 39 may extend through the opening 31 and may surround the corresponding bolt 3i to positively space the end of thean'glebar 2l away from the filler block 35 and permit relatively free movement of the movable point rail l5.

Referring now to Fig; 3, the brace rail 25 may be supported against movement on the slide plates l l by'brac'es ill each having a-iside portion ll engaging the side of the bracerail 25 a base or foot 42 resting upon theslide plate'll and reinforcing or stiffeningv web 43. The brace 48' may be secured to the slide plates as by rivets M, and may be still further held,

against displacement by a stop secured to the slide plate ll as by one or more rivets 46.1

'Ih'e'stop plate may also be welded to the slide plate as indicatedat 41. The'brace rail may be prevented from moving. away from the brace 43 by a rib or other abutment, such a's the welded rib 4'8 v Movement of the movableipointrail 15 toward the brace rail 25 may be halted by one or more stops '50, each "of which includes'arched or V- shaped projecting portion 5!, and flange portions 52 secured to the web of'the'movable point as by bolts l9. Preferably; the stops are made in the form of bent straps of generally Vor 'U- shaped cross sections. f

Referringnowto Fig. 6, the joint or connection26 between the knuckle rail 9 and the adjacent end of the brace rail 25-may'be broadly similar to the connection 22. The connection 26 preferably includes an angle bar abutting the knuckle rail 9 a tapered filler block G'I-int'erposed between the knuckle rail '9 and the end of the brace rail 25 and one or more bolts -62 passing through'the angle bar 60, knuckle rail 9, filler block 6! and brace rail 25. Each bolt may be secured by a nut 62', spring washer 63 and taper washer 64 toprovide a strong and rigid connection between the knuckle rail 9 and the end of the brace rail '25.

It will now be seen that each movable point rail I5 is of substantial length and extends from' the knuckle r'ail to a joint which maybe closely adjacent the end frog. Thus the movable point rail has a relatively long radius of movement and the flexible joint need provide for only airelatively small amount of angular movement of. the movable point rail; The heel joint connecting the movable point rail to the inside rail can be relatively strong since relatively little flexibility is required. The easer rail fixed to the point end of the movable point rail provides ample support and reinforcement for this portion of the: rail.

The strong, firmly secured brace rail extending between and rigidly secured to the fixed rails proa 2,177,655 n w way' with the function or the latter' but.

serves both to brace and prevent overturning of I the "movablepoint rail. The movable point rails are connected throughouttheir I lengths and even thoughofconsiderable length, form with their connections a strong'relatively rigid unitary mova'blestructure. I

" The brace rails] are firmly connected to the fixed rails and'provide in effect a unitary double truss frame which is solidlyconnected and which resists any tendency of the rails to creep. This strong unitary frame is rigidly connected to the track structure and thus insures that the knuckle rails and movable center points will be maintained in proper arrangement and alignment and will operate satisfactorily under all conditions.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out inthe anneXed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

' What is claimed is i v.1. A movable center point crossing including intersecting pairs of parallel rails, knuckle rails connecting" the outside rails of saidpairs, end

. frogs, associated with the inside rails, said end frogs including wing rails, movable point rails eX- tending between said wing rails and said knuckle rails, brace rails extending between said knuckle rails and said wing rails, and means for connecting said movable point rails to said wing rails, said last means including fastening members extending through said brace rails and said wing rails and-fastening members extending through said brace rails said movable point rails, and means connecting said brace rails and said knuckle rails including fastening members extending through said brace rails and knuckle rails.

' 2. In a movable center point rail crossing, sets of outer and inner rails on opposite sides of the center, a set of knuckle rails, each knuckle rail I connecting its corresponding outer rails, a set of frogs, each frog comprising a frog point and wing rails, each setof said inner rails being connected I to its respective frog point, sets of point rails, one

set of point rails being on each side of the center and each point rail ofeach set being hingedly connected to its particular wing rail, sets of brace rails, each brace rail being disposed on the outside. of its point rail, connecting assemblies, each a connecting assembly positively fastening its respective brace rail to the adjoining knuckle rail, hinge assemblies, each hinge assemblypositively fastening its respective brace rail'to its respective wing rail and hingingitsrespective point rail,

said brace rails and knuckle rails tying together said frogs and preventing relative track creepage therebetween. V I i 3. In a movable center point rail crossing, sets of outer and inner rails on opposite sides of the center, a set of knuckle rails, each knuckle rail 'connectingits corresponding outer rails a set of jfrogs, each set of said inner rails being connected nested to its particularinner rail, sets of brace to its respective frog, sets of point rails, one set of point rails being on each side of the center and each point rail of each setbeing hingedly conrails, each brace rail being disposed on the outside 'of its point rail, connecting assemblies, each assembly positively fastening its respective brace rail to theadjoining knuckle rail, hinge assemblies, each hinge assembly positively fastening its respective brace rail tofits respective inner rail and hinging its respectivepoint rail, said brace the brace rail on the one hand and the aligned point rail and inner rail on the other, a bar located on the inner side of said point rail and inner rail, said bar having a deflected end bent away from said spacer block, fastening members passing through said bar, inner rail, spacer block and brace rail to fasten these members together, additional fastening devices passing through the deflected end of said bar, point rail, spacer block and said brace rail, and means to give hinge action to said point rail.

, v 5, In a movable center point rail crossing, sets of outer and inner rails, frogs connecting the inner rails, knuckle rails connecting the outer rails on opposite sides of the crossing center, brace rails positively fastened to said knuckle rails;

, pointrails, hinge assemblies for said point rails,

each said hinge assembly connecting its respective point rail, brace rail and inner rail, each said hinge assembly comprising a spacer block located between the brace rail on the one hand and the aligned point rail and inner rail on the other, an angle bar located on the inner side of said point rail and inner rail, said angle bar having a deflected end bent away from said spacer block, fastening members passing through said angle bar,

inner rail, spacer block and brace rail to fasten these members together, additional fastening devices passing through the deflected end of said angle bar, said point rail, spacer block and brace rail, certain of said additional fastening devices having a spacer between said angle bar and spacerblock, said point rail having a clearance hole for said spacer to give hinge action to said point rail...

6. A movable center point rail crossing including sets of inner and outer rails on opposite sides of the center, knuckle rails connecting the outer rails, end frogs having wing rails associated with v the inner rails, movable point rails, means hingedly connecting said movable point rails to said wing .rails, brace rails extending between said knuckle rails and said wing rails in position to brace said movable point rails respectively when the latter are in closed position, means tightly fastening one end of said brace rails to said knuckle rails, and means tightly fastening the other end of said brace rails to said Wing rails to prevent relative creepage of the end frogs of the crossing. I

7. A movable center point rail crossing including sets of inner and outer rails on opposite sides of the center, knuckle rails connecting the outer rails, end frogs associated with the inner'rails, movable point rails extending from the ends of said inner rails to said knuckle rails respectively, means hingedly connecting said movable point rails to the ends of said inner rails, brace rails extending from said inner rails to said knuckle rails, means tightly fastening one end of said brace rails to said inner rails, and means tightly fastening the other end of said brace rails to said knuckle rails, whereby said frogs and knuckle 19 the inner and outer rails of each set, means tight- 1y-fastening one end of said'brace rails to said inner rails, means tightlytfastening the other end of said brace rails 'to'said outer rails, to prevent relative; track creepage, and stop means distribuuted' substantiallythroughout the length of said brace rails and movable point rails, whereby said brace rails provide lateral-support to said movable point rails when said movable point rails are in closed position.

JOHN A. JOHN ON, m 

